NEWS
RELEASES 2004-05

NEWS RELEASES 2004-05 :: AUGUST 4, 2004

POLICY FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS ANNOUNCED

North Carolina public school officials have announced the state policy for
free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals
served under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and/or After School
Snack Programs.

Each school and central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed
by any interested party. Eligibility will be determined on the following household
size and income:

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

FREE

REDUCED

YEAR

MONTH

WEEK

YEAR

MONTH

WEEK

1

$12,103

$1,009

$233

$17,224

$1,436

$332

2

16,237

1,354

313

23,107

1,926

445

3

20,371

1,698

392

28,990

2,416

558

4

24,505

2,043

472

34,873

2,907

661

5

28,639

2,387

551

40,756

3,397

784

6

32,773

2,732

631

46,639

3,887

897

7

36,907

3,076

710

52,522

4,377

1,011

8

41,041

3,421

790

58,405

4,868

1,124

For each additional household member add:

+ 4,134

+ 345

+80

+ 5,883

+ 491

+114

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible
for free or reduced-price meals.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or
guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, parents or guardians should
fill out the application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted
at any time during the year. Additional copies are available at the principal’s
office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used
to determine eligibility. School program officials may verify household income
at any time during the school year.

For school officials to determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps
or Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) must list the child’s name, their food
stamp or WFFA case number, and the signature and name of an adult household
member. Households not receiving food stamps or WFFA must list names of all
household members, social security numbers of the primary wage earner or the
household member who signs the application or a statement that the household
member does not possess a social security number, the amount and source of the
income received by each household member, and the signature of an adult household
member certifying that the information provided is correct.

Households that list a food stamp or WFFA case number must report when the
household no longer receives these benefits. Other households approved for benefits
are required to report increases in household income of over $50 per month or
$600 per year and decreases in household size. Also, if a household member becomes
unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact
the school. Such changes make the children of the household eligible for benefits
if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, determining officials
from the school food authority review applications and determine eligibility.
If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she
may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal
basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request
either orally or in writing to the school food authority for a hearing to appeal
the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

In certain cases, foster children also are eligible for these benefits. If
a household has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such
meals for them, the household should advise the school on the application. The
information provided by the household on the application is confidential and
will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.

Households that receive food stamps or WFFA may not have to complete a school
lunch or breakfast application. School officials may determine eligibility for
free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the food stamp/WFFA
office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving food stamps
or is in an assistance unit receiving WFFA. School officials will notify households
of their eligibility and that the household must notify the school when they
no longer receive food stamps or WFFA. Households who are notified of their
eligibility, but who do not want their children to receive free meals, must
contact the school. Food stamp and WFFA households should complete an application
if they are not notified of their eligibility.

In the operation of the child feeding programs and in accordance with federal
law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the institution is prohibited
from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age,
or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202.720.5964. USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer

About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 126 charter schools serving over 1.5 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.

For more information:
NCDPI Communication and Information Division, 919.807.3450.